Basdila Excavation in Gorakhpur
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| relics |
There are
compelling reasons of believing that the south- east area of Gorakhpur district
has a great historic past. The recent excavations with the efforts of
archeologists and research scholars of DDU Gorakhpur University and Allahabad
University at Basdeeh near Chauri Chaura has strengthened the possibility that
remains of some ancient civilization lie buried under earth in the region. The
evidences of wooden house from the excavation site have been discovered for the
first time not only in India but also in the world has surprised the scholars. The artifacts, relics and ‘mridbhand’ give
indicate the existence of Maurya, Kushan and Gupta era.
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| From Dihghat |
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| Dihghat |
The director of
excavation at Basdeela and faculty at Ancient history department of DDU
Gorakhpur University, says, “The relicts and artifacts found in the excavation
has been send to ‘Birbal Sahini Institute of Lucknow and Tata Fundamental
research center, Mumbai, for carbon dating. It will reveal the actual date of
constructions of relics and artifacts found in the excavation.” “The excavation
was not possible without license and after the presentation in front of 20
members standing committee at 12th September, SK Misra, director,
Indian Archeological Department, granted us license on 4th December,
2012.”
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| Uma - Maheshwer statue from Updhoulia |
The evidences of
rectangular shaped building found in the excavation could prove to be a great
link to understand history. According to Prof. J.N. Pal, former head of Ancient
History department, Allahabad University and a specialist of excavation, “The
evidence of wooden building at Basdeela is of great historic value. Earlier
people didn’t know the use of bricks and stone thus they use to live in wooden
houses.”
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| Ashtpahal Shivling from Updhoulia |
The head of Ancient
History department, DDU Gorakhpur University and director of excavation, Prof. Vipula
Dubey, says, “The evidence of wooden castle at Basdeela is rare as it is found
first time not only in India but in the world. The study of the area will
certainly add a new chapter in the archeology and Indian history. Now the
possibility has risen that we’ll have the evidences of Piplivan, Kolieya , Pawa
and Ramgram cross Saryu river area. The relics and other things discovered from
the area states that there was continuity in living of people in the area from
Maurayn era till Gupta era.”
“The width of the piece of wood found in the
excavation is 1ft and 20 ft long. Surprisingly the wood found is in good
condition and it indicates that people of that era must have knowledge of
chemical polish for the safety of woods. A piece of burned wooden piece and
relics of leaves are also found. Burned bones of Fish, tortoise, bird and
animals are found in the excavations. Iron arrow, earthen pot, ‘mridbhand’,
kalash, plates, bowls, storing pots, fossil of leaves, 20 cm long horns of
Barahsingha ( swamp deer), iron knife, seeds of wheat and mustard, burnt wooden
windows and coal also found during the
excavation, 18-20 ft below the datum line. Ancient bricks and walls are also
found during the extensive survey of
several places at Jhangaha.” Vipula
added
PC Trivedi, VC,
DDU Gorakhpur University, says, “The relics and evidences of the ancient
civilization found in Basdeela excavation will definitely secure a great
position in the pages of history.”
In 1997, PK
Lahiri, incharge of exhibition in Gorakhpur Mahotsav in 1997, made an extensive
survey of places around Gorra and Rapti River. He went to Jhangha, Deehghat,
Sabuni ka Bagh and Rajdhani village and collected relics of historical and
archeological value. He also prepared a map of the area that describes several
farms and wells that are connected to rivers below the earth.
He says, “I came
to know that few ancient statues of Gods and Godesses in black and red stone
are lying scattered in the fields of Updhaulia village. With the then city
magistrate, Farooqui and registration officer, Antiquity, Dr. OPL Srivastva , I
visited the area. At Jhangha Bazar, Shiv mandir, situated at small Tila, a very
old statue of Lord Vishnu and many old statues of Godesses were lying in the
temple.”
“After Jhangha
Bazar we went to Updhaulia, where on a tila (which is according to local people
is Angara Stupa of Maurayas). We saw black stone statues of Ardhnarishwar and
Kartiya in a small temple there. In the fields around we located 2 Asthpahal
Shiva Lingas of red stone. We also spotted many broken terracotta potteries of
degenerated N.B.P. and grey polish. In this area we also spotted a beautiful
red stone statue of Uma- Maheshwar near the wall in the house of Vishnu Maurya,
which was found by them found by them during digging of their fields.” He
added.
Lahiri also spotted old red stone and black stone statues of Lord Vishnu and Kartikeya and a Shiva Linga
under a tree in the fields, after crossing
the Gorra River, near the bank of river Rapti. “From Deeh-Ghat across
Rapti, we saw Sahgaura which was the Administrative centre of Mauryas.”
He shared.
In
Sabuni ka Bagh Lahiri found broken terrakota potteries, old bricks, roof tiles,
and pieces of small terracotta statues of Gods and Godesses in the adjoining
fields of Sabuni Ka Bagh. As per villagers several statues and artifacts has
ben stolen or taken away by the officers as decoration pieces. The rare statue
of Ardhnariswar was stolen away from Updhauliya temple on 16th/17the March '97.
The report has been made to police but still the statue is not recovered.
Fortunately the area
the dragged attention of scholars and with the help of DDU Gorakhpur University,
Allahabad University and Archeological Department the excavation work is
started in the area but to unearth the entire culture and evidences of Mauryan
era, more work is required. According to Historians Piplivan existed in the
very area which has enveloped history of Maurya Dynasty. The entire Poorvanchal
area could be developed as tourist hub and that will provide new ways of
employment and development in the area.
Arjumand Bano
